adjective / verb HSK 4
Traditional 歡
joyful · happy · merry · to rejoice
Meaning
欢 expresses joy, happiness, and merriment. It appears frequently in compound words related to happiness and celebration. While rarely used alone in modern Mandarin, it's a core component of many common expressions like 欢迎 (welcome) and 喜欢 (to like).
Usage
欢 is almost always used in compound words rather than standing alone. It appears in both formal and informal contexts, especially in welcoming phrases and expressions of enjoyment. Common in set phrases and greetings.
Examples
- 01欢迎来到中国!!Welcome to China!
- 02大家欢聚一堂，庆祝新年。, .Everyone gathered together happily to celebrate the New Year.
Common collocations
- 欢迎光临welcome (formal greeting)
- 欢声笑语sounds of laughter and cheerful talk
- 欢度to joyfully spend (time/holiday)
- 欢聚一堂gather together happily
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 歡 combines 雚 (a bird) with 欠 (to lack/yawn), originally depicting the joyful singing of birds. The simplified form 欢 retains the 又 (hand) component on the left.